WinterSilks and Venus Swimwear have created a working solution to the challenge of running a seasonal business.

By Alicia Orr Suman

Web customer service is handled by a separate employee group. The Web sites have live chat online that specially trained Web customer service representatives handle, in addition to answering e-mail inquiries.

Interestingly, the same sort of inquiries come via the Internet as on the phone. Says Scott, “People want to know, ‘Should I get a small- or a medium-sized bathing suit bottom?’ The rep can help them with exact size specifications.”